Dundee games firm given cash boost by Minecraft developers

Dundee’s Puny Astronaut is shooting for the stars after the fledgling games studio secured a six-figure cash injection from the developer behind the console edition of global sensation Minecraft.

City Quay-based 4J Studios, which is headed by serial entrepreneurs Chris van der Kuyl and Paddy Burns, decided to invest in the Abertay University graduate team after being blown away by Skye, the studio’s debut offering.

The 2016 Dare to be Digital award-winning team’s game is aimed at families and casual audiences and focuses on the adventures of Skye, the friendly flying dragon.

Mr Burns said: “When we met Puny Astronaut, and were first introduced to Skye, we could see instantly the team and game had enormous potential. Both are a perfect fit for 4J as our philosophy is based on developing ‘games for everyone’.

“Although the team was keen to bring Skye to market as soon as possible, Chris and I felt rushing it would be a mistake.

“So, we offered to invest in them instead, which would give them the time, space and resources needed to complete the game in line with their initial vision.”

Cian Roche, Puny Astronaut’s managing director, said: “With 4J’s investment, we’ll be able to produce the game we first set out to create and share our plans with the rest of the games community.”